Resting in Grace: Walking in Unity and Love
Summary
As we move into Ephesians chapter 4, the focus shifts from understanding what God has done for us to how we are to live in response. The Christian life is not about striving to earn God’s love or favor, but about resting in the finished work of Christ. Before we can “walk” in a manner worthy of our calling, we must first learn to “sit”—to rest in the truth that God’s love for us is perfect, unearned, and unchangeable. Many stumble in their faith because they try to live out Christian duties without first being rooted in the reality of God’s grace. Our obedience and desire to grow flow out of gratitude for what He has already accomplished, not as a means to gain His approval.
Paul urges us to walk with all lowliness and gentleness, which stands in stark contrast to the values of the world. True humility is not self-deprecation, but an honest view of ourselves in light of God’s grace. Gentleness, or meekness, is not weakness but strength under control—choosing to respond with kindness even when we have the power to do otherwise. Patience, or long-suffering, is essential in our relationships, especially when others are struggling or suffering. We are called to bear with one another in love, the agape love that is freely given and not based on merit or personal benefit.
Unity is a central theme. We are to endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, recognizing that we are all recipients of God’s grace. There is one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of all. Differences in opinion or practice should not divide us, especially on non-essential matters. The diversity within the body of Christ is meant to strengthen us, not to create factions. Our unity glorifies God and reflects the reality that we are one family, bound together by His Spirit and destined for the same hope.
Let us remember that our calling is not to prove ourselves, but to respond to God’s love with humility, gentleness, patience, and unity. As we rest in what He has done, we are empowered to walk in a way that honors Him and builds up His body.
Key Takeaways
- Resting Before Walking: The Christian journey begins with resting in what God has done, not with our own efforts. Attempting to live out Christian duties without first being rooted in grace leads to frustration and burnout. God’s love is already perfect and cannot be increased by our performance; our walk must flow from this place of rest. [03:41]
- Humility and Gentleness as Strength: True humility is not thinking less of ourselves, but seeing ourselves rightly in light of God’s grace. Gentleness, or meekness, is strength under control—choosing to respond with kindness and restraint even when provoked. These virtues are countercultural and only possible when we are secure in God’s love. [11:32]
- Long-Suffering and Bearing with Others: Patience, or long-suffering, is more than waiting; it is enduring hardship and the shortcomings of others with a spirit that refuses to give up. Bearing with one another in love means extending grace, especially when others are struggling or failing to meet our expectations. This reflects the agape love Christ has shown us. [15:31]
- Unity in Diversity: The body of Christ is diverse by design, with different gifts, perspectives, and backgrounds. Unity does not require uniformity in all things, but a shared commitment to the essentials of the faith and a willingness to love across differences. Divisions over non-essential matters grieve the Spirit and hinder our witness; unity glorifies God. [20:25]
- One Hope, One Lord, One Faith: Our unity is grounded in the unchanging realities of the gospel: one hope of heaven, one Lord Jesus, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father. These truths bind us together as one family, regardless of denominational or cultural differences. Our shared destiny and identity in Christ should shape how we treat one another now. [29:36]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:21] - The “Therefore” and the Foundation of Grace
[03:41] - Resting in God’s Love, Not Earning It
[06:29] - Responding to God’s Love, Not Legalism
[07:43] - Walking Worthy: Lowliness and Humility
[08:47] - Paul’s Example of Humility
[09:50] - Living for God’s Glory, Not Our Own
[11:32] - Gentleness: Strength Under Control
[12:16] - The Tamed Power of Gentleness
[13:15] - Long-Suffering and Patience
[15:31] - Bearing with One Another in Love
[16:42] - Agape Love Defined
[18:25] - The Character of Love
[18:59] - The Fruit of the Spirit
[20:25] - Endeavoring for Unity in the Body
[29:36] - One Hope, One Lord, One Faith
[38:26] - The Unity of the Trinity and Our Calling
[41:00] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Ephesians 4 – Resting, Walking, and Unity in Christ
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### Bible Reading
- Ephesians 4:1-6
(Paul urges believers to walk worthy of their calling, with humility, gentleness, patience, bearing with one another in love, and keeping the unity of the Spirit.)
- 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
(Paul’s description of agape love: patient, kind, not envious or boastful, not proud, not rude, not self-seeking, not easily angered, keeps no record of wrongs, always protects, trusts, hopes, perseveres.)
- Galatians 5:22-23
(The fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.)
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### Observation Questions
1. In Ephesians 4:1-3, what specific attitudes and actions does Paul say should characterize the way we “walk” as Christians?
2. According to the sermon, what does it mean to “sit” before we “walk” in our Christian life? [[03:41]]
3. How does Paul describe the kind of love we are to have for one another in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7?
4. What does Paul say about unity in Ephesians 4:4-6? What are the “ones” he lists that bind us together?
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important to rest in what God has done for us before trying to live out Christian duties? How does this affect our motivation and ability to obey? [[03:41]]
2. The sermon says humility is not thinking less of ourselves, but seeing ourselves rightly in light of God’s grace. How does this view of humility differ from the world’s view? [[08:47]]
3. What does it look like to bear with one another in love, especially when someone is struggling or not meeting our expectations? [[15:31]]
4. Why does Paul emphasize unity in the body of Christ, even though there is diversity? What dangers come from dividing over non-essential matters? [[20:25]]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon says many Christians try to “walk” before they learn to “sit”—resting in God’s love and grace. Are there areas in your life where you feel you are striving to earn God’s approval instead of resting in what He’s already done? What would it look like to rest in His love this week? [[03:41]]
2. Humility and gentleness are described as strengths, not weaknesses. Can you think of a recent situation where you had the power to respond harshly but chose (or could have chosen) gentleness instead? What difference did it make, or could it have made? [[11:32]]
3. Patience (long-suffering) means enduring the shortcomings of others without giving up on them. Is there someone in your life right now who is hard to bear with? What is one practical way you can show them agape love this week? [[15:31]]
4. The sermon warns against dividing over non-essential issues. Have you ever been part of a church or group that split over something minor? How did it affect you and others? What can you do to promote unity in your relationships and church? [[20:25]]
5. Paul lists “one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father.” Which of these truths is most meaningful to you right now, and why? How can it shape the way you treat other believers? [[29:36]]
6. Think about the diversity in your small group or church—different backgrounds, gifts, or opinions. How can you celebrate and learn from these differences instead of letting them become sources of division? [[20:25]]
7. The sermon says our obedience should flow from gratitude, not from trying to prove ourselves. What is one area where you can shift your motivation from duty to gratitude this week? [[06:29]]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Thank God for His unearned, unchanging love. Ask for help to rest in His grace, to walk in humility, gentleness, patience, and unity, and to love others as He has loved us.
Devotional
Day 1: Resting in What God Has Done Before Walking Worthy
Before we can walk in a way that honors God, we must first learn to rest in the finished work of Christ. Many Christians struggle because they try to earn God’s love or favor through their own efforts, believing that if they just do enough, pray enough, or prove themselves, God will love them more. But the truth is, God’s love for us is already perfect and cannot be increased by our actions. Our Christian walk is not about striving to earn God’s approval, but about responding to the love and grace He has already lavished upon us through Jesus. When we truly understand and receive what God has done for us, we find a beautiful rest and freedom from legalism and frustration, and our obedience becomes a joyful response rather than a burdensome duty. [03:41]
Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Reflection: In what area of your life are you still trying to earn God’s love or approval, and how can you intentionally rest in His finished work today?
Day 2: Walking Worthy with Humility and Gentleness
To walk worthy of our calling means to walk with all lowliness and gentleness, not seeking our own glory but living for God’s. In a world that often values pride and self-promotion, true humility is countercultural and rooted in recognizing that everything we have is by God’s grace. Gentleness, or meekness, is not weakness but strength under control—choosing to respond with kindness and patience even when we have the power to do otherwise. This balance, as described in the Greek word “praus,” is the mark of a life transformed by Christ, where we no longer measure our worth by our own dedication or piety, but by God’s loving kindness and mercy. [11:32]
Ephesians 4:1-2 (ESV)
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.
Reflection: How can you practice humility and gentleness in a specific relationship or situation today, especially where you might be tempted to assert your own way?
Day 3: Bearing with One Another in Love
True Christian love, agape, is not based on what someone can do for us or how much they deserve it, but is freely given, just as Christ loved us while we were still sinners. Bearing with one another in love means enduring with patience and kindness, even when others fail or disappoint us. It is a love that covers over a multitude of sins, refuses to keep score, and chooses to believe the best. This kind of love is not natural, but is the fruit of the Spirit working in us, enabling us to respond to others with the same grace and mercy we have received from God. [18:25]
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (ESV)
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Reflection: Who in your life is difficult to love right now, and what is one practical way you can bear with them in love this week?
Day 4: Endeavoring to Keep the Unity of the Spirit
Unity in the body of Christ is not about agreeing on every minor detail, but about being united in the essentials of the faith and refusing to let secondary issues divide us. We are called to do everything we can to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, recognizing that we are all recipients of God’s grace and part of one body. Division and quarreling are marks of spiritual immaturity, while unity glorifies God and strengthens the church. Even when we see things differently, we are to approach one another with humility, openness, and a willingness to be wrong, always prioritizing our shared faith in Christ above our differences. [20:25]
Ephesians 4:3-6 (ESV)
Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Reflection: Is there a disagreement or division in your life or church that you need to approach differently in order to pursue unity? What step can you take today to be a peacemaker?
Day 5: Responding to God’s Love as the Initiator
Our love and obedience to God are not the means by which we earn His love, but are a response to the love He has already shown us. God is always the initiator—He loved us first, and our role is to respond with gratitude and devotion. When we are freed from a works-oriented mindset, we can walk in joy and confidence, knowing that our identity and worth are secure in Christ. This understanding transforms our motivation, so that we serve and obey not out of fear or obligation, but out of love and thankfulness for all that God has done and promised to do. [06:29]
1 John 4:19 (ESV)
We love because he first loved us.
Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally respond to God’s love today—not to earn His favor, but simply out of gratitude for what He has already done?
Quotes
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